How to have your best winter swimming season yet

How do you make the most of pool swimming? How can you learn to swim more efficiently, improve your technique and prepare for open water events next summer? Rowan Clarke sat down with Rebecca Wetten, co-founder and Head Coach at Catch, the new digital coaching app, to share their top tips for your best winter of swimming.

Want to keep swimming progress going through the colder months? Winter doesn’t have to mean losing momentum. Here are Rebecca and Rowan’s tips to help you stay motivated, improve technique and enjoy the pool this season.

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Rebecca’s top tips for your best winter of swimming

1. Pick a goal that excites you
Choose something that feels fresh and motivating — a new event, distance or skill to keep you interested.

2. Have a plan
Structure takes away the guesswork. Whether you create your own plan, use a coach, or follow a digital plan, knowing what you’re doing makes every session more rewarding.

3. Create rituals
Anchor your swims to existing routines — like an early dip followed by coffee — to make training sustainable and enjoyable.

4. Keep your plan baggy
Life happens. Build flexibility into your training so holidays, illness or busy weeks don’t derail your progress.

5. Make it social
Swim with a friend, stick to the same weekly session, or add coffee and chat afterwards. Accountability and connection keep you showing up.

6. Work on technique
Pool season is perfect for technique work, such as drills. Short, focused sets with fins, paddles, or pull buoys can transform efficiency and speed.

7. Add novelty
Mix things up. Try new strokes, different kit, or coaching sessions. Variety keeps boredom at bay.

8. Celebrate your wins
Mark every milestone, no matter how small — a new pace, distance, or skill. Small celebrations fuel long-term motivation.

About Catch

Find your swimmer’s high with Catch, your digital swim coach. Get personalised training plans and video lessons to transform your swimming. Swim further, faster and with more confidence with a smart, flexible swim coach in your pocket. 

Whether you’re training for your longest swim, aiming for smoother front crawl, or preparing for a triathlon swim, Catch coaches you with personalised training plans, quality video lessons and a supportive swim community. 

How does Catch digital coaching work?

With Catch, you’ll have the coaching, training plans and community to make it happen. When you sign up, you can choose a membership that suits you.

1. Take the quiz

Tell Catch about your swimming, goals and lifestyle so your plan fits you perfectly.

2. Get your personalised plan

Catch will build you a training plan and weekly video lessons matched to your goals – fully customisable for pool, open water or both.

3. Learn & train

Watch high-quality technique videos, then put them into practice in your swims.

4. Progress & achieve

Your plan adapts to your results and feedback. With expert coaching support and progress tracking, you’ll continue to improve, reach your goals, and enjoy the journey.

Ready to dive in? Get your 7-day free trial of Catch Gold